Indian wrestler Deepak Punia added another accolade to his career, clinching the men’s 97kg bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 with a hard‑fought 2‑1 victory over Mongolia’s Gankhuyang Ganbataar.
The 27‑year‑old had earlier come agonisingly close to reaching the final, losing narrowly 8‑9 to Uzbekistan’s Sherzod Poyonov in the semifinals. Despite the setback, Punia bounced back strongly in the bronze medal bout, displaying grit and tactical discipline to secure his second Asian Games medal.
Punia’s latest success adds to his impressive international record. He won silver at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships and has already collected five Asian Championships medals, making him one of India’s most consistent performers in freestyle wrestling. His bronze in Nagoya follows the silver medal he earned at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, further cementing his reputation as a reliable medal contender for India.
The victory also contributes to India’s growing medal tally at the Games, reinforcing the nation’s strength in combat sports. Punia’s resilience and ability to recover from a semifinal defeat highlight his determination to stay among Asia’s elite wrestlers.
